Check In and Chat Call Volunteers provide friendly telephone calls and encouragement to reduce loneliness and improve a person’s wellbeing for up to 18 weeks. The calls will be from a different volunteer each time.
Companionship Calls Volunteers provide regular telephone support (up to 3 calls per week for 6 weeks) from the same volunteer. This is suitable for people who would benefit or prefer to speak to the same volunteer.
Why use these services
Reduced unnecessary GP visits by addressing non-clinical needs
Social and emotional support for people who may otherwise feel isolated
Easing the burden on healthcare providers by helping patients maintain a sense of connection and well-being
Who should use these services
GPs, Social Prescribers, Local Authority (multi-disciplinary teams), community nursing teams, and nursing staff to support patients who are isolated, lonely, unwell, or recovering from illness.
All support activities must be completed by 8pm, please don’t request support after this time.
Page last reviewed: 04 October 2024
Check In and Chat Call
A Check In and Chat Call provides friendly telephone chats and encouragement to reduce loneliness and improve a person’s wellbeing.
This support can be ongoing for up to 18 weeks and the calls will be from different volunteers each time.
Who is eligible for this support?
They may be:
people who may need a friendly chat and some encouragement to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
This support is not suitable for:
people who may need the continuity of the same volunteer calling (See Companionship Calls).
Please ensure you have also read the programme referral criteria[3] and that the person meets this criteria.
Page last reviewed: 05 June 2024
Companionship Calls
Companionship Calls provide regular telephone support and encouragement to reduce loneliness and improve a person’s wellbeing from the same volunteer (up to 3 calls per week for 6 weeks).
This is suitable for people who would benefit from speaking to the same person.
As part of our training for this role, volunteers will be offered information about the evidence-based NHS five ways to wellbeing[4] which, at their own discretion, they can use to help clients feel better and explore positive changes they could make to their lives.
These might include encouraging clients to connect with others, become more physically active or to learn new skills or volunteer. They will point clients to resources from the Royal Voluntary Service Virtual Village Hall[5] and weareundefeatable.co.uk[6] as well as encourage them to link with local community activities and charity organisations.
Who is eligible for this support?
People who may need a friendly chat and who may be vulnerable. They may be:
housebound/have little contact with others
anxious about leaving the house
recently discharged from hospital
in need of a friendly chat and some encouragement to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
This support is not suitable for:
people with complex mental health needs
people who are known to be suicidal
people with severe cognitive impairment
referrals for those with drug addiction or alcohol dependency.
Please ensure you have also read the programme referral criteria[3] and that the person meets this criteria before making a referral.
